Thanks for the reviews, guys! I know there wasn't a lot to review, but I think this one is a step above how I've been doing recently (there's something wrong with me at the moment, I swear...). Anyway, thanks again!
Disclaimer: These things are somewhat pointless. Know why? It's called fanfiction. Why would the actual author write fanfiction? They could just write a whole other book. But we insist on doing disclaimers, so here it goes: I'm not Tammy, I don't own.
Alanna idly turned a page in her book, hardly paying attention to the words on it. It was a history of the first female knights of Tortall, a birthday gift from Myles. Usually, the large volume was enough to enthrall the Lioness for hours, but today she had trouble concentrating on the well-known stories of women such as Lady Sabine of Macayhill. The twins were being unusually lively today, kicking and punching Alanna's belly until it felt like one large, swollen bruise.
"Ow!" Alanna's book went soaring as her hands flew to her midsection, which was still stinging from a particularly hard kick. The nearby maid immediately stepped forward.
"Here, lady, I'll get it," she said brightly, snatching the weighty tome off of the floor as Alanna began to reach for it. The girl curtsied as the Lioness thanked her and settled back in her corner where she had been keeping watch, returning to the sewing she had been working on before. Alanna stifled a sigh when the maid started humming an old folktune in a shrill pitch. She had been Alanna's keeper for three days now, after Maude had requested someone keep an eye on the Lioness in case she went into labor. Alanna had only agreed when the nursemaid pointed out that she could go into labor at any time now, since her due date had passed four days ago, and she would be in trouble if she was caught alone.
Still rubbing her belly, Alanna bent her head over her book, trying to let the familiar words distract her from the restless twins in her womb. Subdued footsteps reached Alanna's ears through the closed door, disrupting her concentration again. She lifted her head curiously in time to see the door open to allow George to slip inside. The baron smiled at Alanna, closing the door behind him.
"Readin' that again?" he asked teasingly, nodding at the book in his wife's hand. "I'm surprised you don't have it memorized by now."
Alanna smiled as he bent to kiss her briefly on the lips. A soft bump told her that the maid had slipped out into the hallway to give them time alone.
"I could say the same about you and your reports," she said to George when they separated, threading her fingers through his. "You never seem to put them down."
George shrugged, grinning. "It's my job." He leaned forward and eased his lips over hers again. Alanna kissed him back, savoring the sensation of his mouth moving with hers. After a few moments, Alanna broke their embrace, groaning softly as the twins kicked her. George looked at her questioningly. The lady knight made a face.
"The twins were kicking," she explained resignedly, placing a hand on the swell of her midsection. "They've been doing it all day."
The baron nodded sympathetically. "Maude said they would."
Alanna grumbled, "Doesn't make it any easier."
George chuckled and swiftly brushed his lips against hers again. This time when they pulled apart, George stood.
"Where are you going?" Alanna asked.
"I've got paperwork to do, lass," he explained, turning reluctantly to walk out. "I'll be in the study if you need me."
The Lioness nodded to show that she had heard. As her husband retreated from the room, Alanna returned to her book, enjoying her brief moment of repose as the maid flitted back inside. Through the door, she could hear George moving about the room, the muted rustling of papers telling the lady knight he was working. Alanna smiled and turned another page, flinching every so often from the smack of a tiny foot or fist colliding with her abdomen with increasing force and regularity.
In the other room, George was bent double over his reports, decoding, recording, and filing. Distantly, he heard his wife and her youthful warden shift every so often, or the crinkle of a page being turned. He was focused almost completely on a remarkably difficult code, hardly noticing his surroundings, when a muted voice floated into the room.
"George?"
The baron's head snapped up, his eyes fixed on the closed study door. He waited, unsure whether or not he had imagined hearing his wife calling for him.
"George!"
The former Rogue leapt up from the desk, his reports forgotten. Sprinting to the door, he threw it open and bolted inside. Alanna stood next to her chair, one hand tightly gripping its arm, the other clutching her swollen midsection. Her famed violet eyes were wide in a pale face. Beads of sweat already dotted her forehead, and she was shaking. The maid hovered nearby, one hand balanced insecurely on the lady knight's shoulder.
"Alanna," George gasped, "what ha—"
He didn't finish. His eyes had caught sight of the damp stain darkening Alanna's breeches.
"Her water broke," the maid said breathlessly, but at the same time Alanna said, "I need Ayesha."
The maid's nervous eyes darted between her mistress and George. "I…I'll fetch the midwife, sir, if you need me to."
George nodded, and the maid darted for the door. Alanna opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off as she doubled up in pain, cursing loudly. Without thinking, George swooped her into his arms, carrying her the few remaining feet to the bed and lowering her carefully onto the sheets. Alanna's eyes were closed, her breathing forcibly even. Her hands seized her belly as she gasped, screwing up her face in pain. George hesitated, unsure of what to do. His mind was blank: no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember what they'd done the last time.
"Breathe, darlin'," he kept saying, slipping his hand in Alanna's, "just breathe…"
Outside, footsteps pounded in the direction of their rooms. George spun around just as the door sprang open and Maude sprinted inside, her grey hair a halo around her face. Her sharp gaze landed on Alanna, groaning on the bed, and George, standing pale-faced beside her. She slammed the door behind her and slowed to a halt, clutching a stitch in her side.
"I heard one of the maids saying Alanna's water broke," the old nursemaid wheezed, answering George's unasked question. "I left Thom in another girl's care and came straight here."
The baron could only nod, relief seeping through his veins like a poison. Alanna's violet eyes had opened at Maude's arrival, but now they were closed again, her shoulders hunched as she was attacked by another contraction.
Grim-faced, Maude made her way to the side of the bed. "How're you feeling?" she asked the Lioness, eyeing her critically. Alanna grimaced.
"J-just lovely," she stuttered through clenched teeth. Maude cackled dryly.
"I thought so," she replied. "Come on, you'll feel better if we get you out of those breeches."
George helped the nursemaid strip off Alanna's ruined pants, tunic, and loincloth and replace them with her nightshirt. When they were finished, he took Alanna's hand in his own and squeezed it encouragingly. Alanna squeezed his in return.
Maude settled herself at Alanna's feet. "Nothing to do now but wait," she said, not taking her eyes off of Alanna.
Busy feet stampeded past the door to the rooms, shouting things like, "Find the midwife!" or, "She's around here somewhere!" Alanna's contractions grew more and more frequent, just as her swearing grew more and more colorful. Every so often, Maude would stand and run her Gifted hands over the lady knight, but for the most part she remained at her station at the foot of the bed. George, who was doing his best to keep his wife comfortable, watched Alanna anxiously, wishing he could take away all of her pain and wondering whether the maid had reached Ayesha yet.
Ayesha leaned against her doorframe, watching a group of village children chase each other through the streets in some sort of game. She laughed as one hid behind a corner of a nearby house, jumping out and shrieking at another child, who promptly fell smack on their bottom, startled. In a matter of seconds, he was back on his feet, swearing vengeance as his now-giggling companion ran to join the others.
A moment later, a new, older-sounding voice joined the high keening of the children.
"Excuse me, pardon me—oh, would you please get out of my way!"
A young woman appeared among the cavorting young ones, sidestepping a muddy girl who darted across her path, trying to outrun her pursuer. The woman had her eyes set on Ayesha's house, her trot quick and purposeful. Ayesha noticed she wore the casual uniform favored by those employed by Pirate's Swoop baron and baroness.
"Excuse me," the maid called when she finally managed to reach Ayesha, "but are you the midwife?"
"I am," the Scanran replied, eyeing the maid as she caught her breath. At Ayesha's response, the maid seemed to crumple in relief.
"Oh, thank Mithros!" she exclaimed. "I've been looking for you everywhere! The baroness, she needs you, the baron sent me, I mean, they both did, up in their rooms—"
"Is there a reason they called for me?" Ayesha interrupted, having no patience for the maid's incessant chatter. The younger woman nodded.
"Yes, the baroness, her water broke, and I—"
Ayesha didn't let her finish. She ran into her house and seized her mage bag near the door. Uttering a quick prayer that it had everything she needed, she turned and galloped back outside, past the rather disgruntled maid, past the staring children. Her feet directed her towards the tower, where she knew the Lioness was waiting for her.
Alanna moaned and rolled onto her side, breathing heavily through her nose. George massaged her stomach in trembling circles, trying to keep his hands from shaking so badly.
"Easy, Alanna," he murmured, twining her hand in his.
"George," she groaned, "it hurts…"
"I know, darlin', I know," the baron replied, his eyes drifting to the door for what felt like the hundredth time.
Alanna flopped onto her back, trying to find a comfortable position. She felt like she had been shut up in that room for hours, but in reality it had only been a few minutes. Her contractions were now frighteningly close together, and Maude had said more than once that it was only a matter of minutes before it would be time to push.
A loud voice in the corridor shouted, "Out of my way!", and the door was flung open. George sighed in relief as Ayesha the midwife appeared, her mage bag in her arms. Maude stood, looking reassured.
"How is she?" the young Scanran native asked without preamble as the door closed behind her.
"Her water broke a while ago," George answered as Ayesha approached his wife, bending to examine her. "She's been sittin' here since then, waitin' for you."
The corner of Ayesha's lips quivered upward. "My apologies," she said, "but I came as soon as the maid found me." The midwife directed her attention to Alanna, who gasped and curled up in a ball, a contraction tearing at her insides.
"Her contractions are very close now," Maude supplied. "It shouldn't be long now."
Ayesha gnawed her lip, watching the Lioness. "You're right," the midwife agreed, moving to join Maude at the foot of the bed. Alanna hardly paid them any attention, intent as she was on the contractions rolling over her. Her belly felt as though it was being walloped by a whole herd of wild horses. She clamped her hand forcefully down on George's. The baron hardly winced as his fingers slowly turned purple.
"Easy, lass," George whispered to his lady knight, stroking her arm with his free hand, "you can do this. You already did once."
Alanna tried to smile back at him, but yet another contraction chose that moment to strike her, and she swore loudly instead. George gripped her shoulders supportively, steadying her as she fought to regain her breath. Her hands on her belly were bone-white and trembling as her husband pressed his lips to her temple. A picture of her father sobbing over his dead wife's corpse popped into her mind. She shivered and tightened her hold on her husband.
"George," she wheezed, "don't leave me."
The baron felt his heart contract at his wife's words. He gathered Alanna in his arms, and she leaned her sweaty head on his chest. She felt the pounding of his heart against her temple, mirroring her own frantic pace.
"I'm here, darlin'," George whispered, "I'm not goin' anywhere."
The Lioness nodded, then moaned in pain as a contraction hit her belly like a blow from a sword. A second one took its place seconds later. Then a third. Alanna felt tears escape her tightly closed eyes and fall onto her pillows as George kept up his whispered stream of support.
Ayesha's head popped up from the foot of the bed.
"You're going to have to push soon, lady," the woman said seriously, a wisp of blonde hair falling loose from its horsetail. Alanna's eyes flew open. She tried to protest, to beg for more time, but a contraction prevented her from saying anything. "Ready?"
George's hand—the one that wasn't clenched in Alanna's—gently brushed away tendrils of damp hair from her face. Another, more powerful contraction rammed into her, knocking all air from her lungs. Alanna swore, gritting her teeth. She was far from ready, but she didn't have a choice: the twins were coming, one way or another.
"Alright," she coughed. Ayesha nodded and disappeared again.
"On the next contraction, Alanna, push," the Lioness heard Maude instruct.
Alanna braced herself, trying to ignore the fear clawing at her insides. Her body remembered this feeling, and knew what to do, but she was nervous. Thom had been only one child. Could she deliver two at once?
The answer to that question was taken out of her hands as yet another contraction washed over her. Almost impulsively, Alanna pushed. Ayesha and Maude yelled encouragement as George snaked his hand around Alanna's shoulder. She took another breath and pushed a second time, balling her hand in her sheets. Sweat soaked her nightshirt, but she ignored it. Her body shrieked for an end to the agony, but she ignored that, too, using all of her strength to push her twins into the world. Alanna leaned forward, screaming curses and prayers at the top of her lungs.
"Come on, Alanna," George urged her, lifting her hand to his lips as she caught her breath, flicking sweat out of her eyes.
"Keep it up, lady, I can see the head!" Ayesha shouted from Alanna's feet, a wad of blankets in her hand. "That's it, you're doing brilliantly!"
Both of their reassurances helped Alanna as she renewed her pushing, straining to collect enough strength to give birth. A searing pressure was growing between her legs, sending spasms of agony up and down her body.
"One more push, lass," George murmured, overlooking his numb fingers to squeeze Alanna's hand reassuringly. The lady knight sucked air into her lungs, braced herself, and pushed. The pressure between her legs increased, but Alanna pushed through her pain, her breathing coming out in gasps. Maude was yelling something, but the Lioness couldn't hear her: the only thing she was aware of was her pain, and her husband's hand on hers.
A terrible, throbbing ache shot up Alanna's frame, numbed a moment later by a stinging twinge between her legs. Alanna fell back on her pillows, coughing. George enveloped her in a hug, kissing the top of her head. Ayesha stood, holding a bundle of blankets to her chest. Alanna watched her blearily, wondering what the midwife was doing, and why the blankets were crying. But then the Scanran shifted, and Alanna caught sight of a small arm protruding from the blankets.
Tears fell unnoticed from both George and Alanna's eyes as the midwife gently cleaned her precious burden. Her hands were gentle but efficient. Alanna was about to ask whether it was a boy or a girl when a contraction washed over her.
Maude looked up from Alanna's feet at the lady knight's agonized moan.
"Easy," she said, placing a hand on Alanna's knee, "you're almost finished. Just one more."
Well. It's the same basic outline as last time, but a little different. I like most of it, anyway.
So, Lowerstates. We got ninth. We needed sixth to go to States. But whatever. I had a great time, and it wasn't really a surprise. It's hard to do spectacularly when you've got a new band director. But there was one school that did this awesome show called "What Are You Afraid Of?", and it scared the crap out of me but was awesome. Mmhmm.
Guess where I'm going on Friday? Nashville, TN, for a wedding. Yeppers. And I get to spend ten hours in the car with my Irish grandparents, my English second aunt and cousin, and my American mother. Three different accents in one car. Oh joy. Ah, well, maybe it'll be fun...yeah, right. :S
Oh, and I changed some of the title names, if anyone cares.
Is going to be insane by the end of the weekend,
Brighteyes